Measures Against UNFICYP

Turkish Cypriot authorities announce restricting measures

Friday, 30 June 2000

The Turkish Cypriot authorities announced yesterday a number of restricting measures affecting the free movement of the UNFICYP force.

The illegal regime unilaterally declared in the Turkish-occupied northern part of Cyprus and recognised only by Turkey, demands that UN soldiers cross to the Turkish-occupied areas through a single point at Ledra Palace in Nicosia, insure their vehicles with T/C insurance companies and pay the regime for the water and electricity they use in camps north of the UN buffer zone.

The measures were announced yesterday shortly before Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash made clear he would go to Geneva for the third round of UN- led proximity talks next month, despite his earlier threats that he would not do so.

Asked to comment on the measures, UNFICYP Spokesperson Ms Sarah Russel replied that "we are reviewing them carefully and are consulting with New York and we will be responding in due course."


Government Spokesman calls on the international community to question Denktash's actions

PIO: Friday, 30 June 2000

Government Spokesman Mr. Michalis Papapetrou called today on the international community to question Denktash/s actions concerning the restricting measures he announced yesterday against UNFICYP and draw the necessary conclusions. Asked to comment on Mr. Denktash/s decision Mr. Papapetrou said that the Turkish Cypriot leader/s decision clashes with the Security Council Resolutions and undermines the UN decisions on Cyprus.

The Cyprus government will examine in depth the measures announced by Mr. Denktash both on a political and a legal level before it proceeds to any other statement, he said.

He also stressed that it is evident that these measures aim at provoking the United Nations and the Greek Cypriot side.

It is obvious, he added, that he tries to provoke the Greek Cypriot side in order to take steps that will help him avoid the dialogue or the negotiations.

Moreover, he pointed out that Denktash/s main goal is to avoid a substantive dialogue and a substantive negotiations and attempts at turning the dispute into procedural matters, into measures against UNFICYP etc.